Portable baby incubator



March 25, 1947. G ARMSTRQNG 2,417,962

.PORTABLE BABY INCUBATOR Filed April 17, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet l @GRD ON ARMSTRQN@ March 25,', 1947. ARMSTRQNG 2,417,962v

PORTABLE BABYl INCUBATOR I Y i?" 7 Swan/Wto@ @ORDQN RRMSTRQNG March 25, 1947.

G. ARMSTRONG PORTABLE BABY INCUBATOR Filed April 17, 1944 O '-1 6N m 0 5 Sheets-Shes?l 3 GQRDQN .ARMSTRQNG March 25, 1947. G ARMSTRONG 2,417,962

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@GRD ON ARMSTRONG @w mfdw@ @mw OH uw@ March 25, 1947. G ,@RMSTRQN( T,l 2,4l7,962

PORTABLE BABY INCUBATOR Filed April 17, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 n @H @d ONM mi. .Og 3.

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WN Od Patented Mar. 25, 1947 UNITEDSTATES PA'ENT QFFICE 2,417,962 PGRTABLE BABY INCUBATOR Gordon Armstrong, Cieveland, Ohio Application April 17, 1944, Serial No. 531,476

16 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in portable baby incubators and has to do, more particularly, with improvements in the heating and humidifying means for such incubators and the means for regulating the admission of air thereto.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a simple but eicient apparatus for supplying constant, automatically-controlled heat and increased humidity for both premature and full term babies, for the administration of oxygen to either premature or full term babies, as an ambulance for the transportation of babies, r the administration of oxygen at a high humidity, as a portable incubator for use in remote areas where hospitalization is impracticable, and for the incubation of a full term baby in shock.

A further object of my invention is to provide a baby incubator which is entirely safe in operation, even for the administration of oxygen therapy, because of the factthat the heating mechanism is so constructed that the heating element, the control switches, and all wiring connections are completely sealed of from the main portion of the incubator.

Another object of my invention is to provide a baby incubator having heating and humidifying devices that can be readily removed for inspection, repair or replacement of parts.

A further object of my invention is to provide a baby incubator having improved heating and humidifying means, in which the rate of humidiiicaton can be readily controlled by simple manipulations of the operator.

Another object of my invention is to provide, in a baby incubator, improved means for regulating the admission of air thereto.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction and economies of operation, will readily appear from the detailed description to follow. In one instance, I have accomplished the objects of my invention by the devices and means set forth in the following specification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims. A structure, constituting' a preferred embodiment of my invention, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portable baby incubator embodying my invention.

FigpZ is a vertical, sectional View through the 2 heating compartment of the incubator, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal, sectional view through the incubator, taken 0n the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical, sectional View through the incubator, taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, illustrating the means for regulating the admission of air to the heating compartment, .taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detail, sectional view, taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail, sectional View, taken on the line 1 1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a detail, sectional view, taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7, and e Fig. 9 is a vertical, sectional view through the heating tube, taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

In general, a baby incubator constructed in accordance with my invention comprises a housing divided into treating and heating compartments by a partition wall. This wall, preferably. extends from the bottom wall upwardly about one-half the height of the housing. The incubator is heated by a heating tube mounted in the heating compartment and having an electric lamp mounted within it, preferably in the front portion of the tube. The humidifying means consists of a water receptacle mounted on the rear portion of the tube. This may straddle the tube and be slidably adjustable along it, and is removable from it. The heating tube may be provided with a plurality of heat-radiating fins that are secured to the forward portion of the tube, and the rate of humidifcation can be varied by moving the water receptacle toward and from the heat-radiating iins.

T0 provide for the ready removal of the heating unit, I have provided an opening in the front wall of the heating compartment, which is closed by a removable panel, and the heating tube is mounted on said panel and projects rearwardly therefrom into the heating compartment. The

rear end of this tube is closed, so that there is no communication between the space within the tube and in front of the panel, and the interior of the incubator. A lamp socket is mounted in the forward end. of the heating tube, and an electric lamp is removably mounted in said socket and located Within the tube. The lamp socket may be removably mounted in the tube by means of a disc detachably connected to the forward end of the tube, and carrying the lamp socket. The lamp is automatically controlled, with reference to the temperature within the incubator, by a thermostatic switch mounted on the panel and including a tube projecting rearwardly from said panel into the space above the heating tube, and enclosing the usual heat-responsive elements. The control device for adjusting this thermostatic switch is mounted in and accessible from the front of the panel.

I propose to provide a frame, surrounding the opening in the front wall of the heating compartment, which ira-me extends inwardly from the front Wall, and has laterally extending anges at the rear thereof, on which the said panel is removably seated. There are side Walls integral with this panel; which form with it a compartment, sealed ofi from the interior of the incubator, and the operating connections for the thermostatic switch, and the electrical wiring connections for the lamp and the switch, are entirely housed within the compartment thus formed, so that they are completely sealed from the heating and treating compartments of the incubator. This compartment may be closed by a front plate, removably secured to said panel, which plate may be removed to permit the removal of the lamp and socket for the purpose oi replacing the lamp, and also to permit the complete removal of said panel, including the heatingtube and the thermostatic switch.

The bottom wall of the heating compartment has a plurality of openings therein, through which air may be admitted to the incubator, and the admission of air is regulated by means of a plate, slidably mounted on the bottom wall, and having a plurality of openings therein that may be brought into or out of registry with the openings in the bottom wall. Due to the location of this plate, it is dicult to see its position of adjustment with reference to the admission, or cutting off, of the air, and, therefore, I have provided a slide, rigid with the plate, which extends alongside a portion of the front wail of the housing. This slide has a handle readily accessible to an operator and the slide and plate may be adjustably shifted by this handle. Said portion of the front wall oi the housing has a plurality of pilot openings therein, and there are corresponding pilot openings in the slide, said pilot openings being in registry with each other when the openings in the regulating plate are adjusted in registry with the openings in the bottom wall of the housing. Thus, the operator can tell the condition of adjustment of the regulating plate by observing whether or not the pilotl openings in the slide have been broughtinto registry with the pilot openings in the front wall of the housing.

Referring to the numbered parts of the drawings, my improved baby incubator comprises a housing, formed in large part of a metal stamping, which includes a back wall IB, end walls II and I2, a lower front .wall portion I3, an upper front rail I4, and an end front wall portion I5. Thetop of the housing is open, as at IS. The

-bottom of the housing is closed by a bottom plate Ighhaving downturned jlanges I8, secured to the front, rear, 'and end walls of the housing, and

which may rest upon flanges I9 and 20, extending inwardly from the lower portions of the front and rear walls I5 and lil. The housing is formed with suitable feet 2l, which may be provided with rubber pads 22.

The incubator housing is divided into treating and heating compartments by a vertical partition wall 23, having a laterally extending iiange 2d, secured to the bottom plate i?, and another ange 25, at one end thereof, secured to the rear wall it. The upper edge of this partition wall is stiiened by folding the metal back upon itself, as at 26. As will be seen in Fig. a, the upper edge of this partition Wall is about midway between the top and the bottom of the housing.

Handle members 2l are secured to the end Walls H and l2, near the top thereof, and, as shown in Fig. 4, these handle members are enclosed by the casings 23, secured to said end Walls 1within the housing. The casing 28, for the han- .dle at the treating compartment end of the housing, Supports an inlet tube 29, which may be con nected to a source of oxygen in oase the incubator is to be used for oxygen therapy. This inlet tube 2E is connected to a flaring elbow Sil within the incubator housing, which elbow is turned upwardly to deflect the oxygen upwardly and prevent it from being delivered directly on the head of the baby in the incubator.

Yhas a handle 3G, near the liront edge thereof.

This cover may be supported in open position by the slotted link 50, pivoted at 5I to the cover, and cooperating with a stud 52, mounted on the end wall i2 and working in the slot of the link 5t.

rilfieconstruction of this link may be such as to form a safety catch, to hold the cover in the open position.

In the iront Wall of the treating compartment, between the portion E3 of the front wall and the front rail I4 of the housing, there is an opening 3? closed by a panel 38 of safety glass or the like. As shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the metal of the front wall is bent back on itself at 39, then, flanged inwardly as at 40, and, then, bent at right angles,

, to form flange 4i extending parallel to said front the housing, and affords means for removably supporting a panel, indicated generally at t1, which carries operating instructions and also a Wet bulb thermometer 48, and a dry bulb thermometer 49j.

An opening is formed in the front wall i5 of the heating compartment, said front Wall being flanged inwardly ain-53, along the sides and top of said opening. At-the bottom of the opening, thefront Wall I5 is anged inwardly, as `at 54, and

f, secured tothe vforward portion of bottom plate Il.

A frame for this opening is made up of the memanimee bers 55, each having a front flange 55 extended laterally and secured to the inner face of the front wall l5, and a rear flange 51, which is bent laterally and then folded back on itself. An angle member 58 is secured to bottom plate |1, in line with flanges 51, and extends across the bottom of said opening. A gasket, 59, is secured to the ront faces of flanges 51. The opening is closed by a panel 60, the edges of which seat on the gasket 59 on flanges 51. Flanges 6| extend forwardly from the sides, top and bottom of said panel 59, and form therewith a compartment for housing a plug receptacle, the operating connections for a thermostatic switch, and the wiring connections between said receptacle and said switch and the heating lamp. The flange 6|, at the top of the panel, has its forward portion bent downwardly at 62, to form a means for securing a front plate in position. The panel 69 is detachably secured in position, closing the front opening in the heating compartment, by screws 83, extending through the panel 60 and screwed into lugs 82, secured to the rear faces of the flanges 51, as shown in Fig. 3. Additional screws co-operating with Similar lugs may be provided at the upper part of the panel, if desired.

The forward end of a heating tube 63 is securely mounted in the panel 69, the connection of said tube with said panel being gas-tight to seal off communication between the interior of said tube and the front of said panel, and the interior of the incubator housing.. Said tube 53 extends rearwardly into the heating compartment and the rear end thereof is closed by a flanged cap or disc 64. A plurality of spaced, parallel, heat-radiating ns 65 are secured to the outer surface of the forward portion of tube 63. in the rear of said panel 6I), and, as shown in Fig. 2, the upper edges of these ns are about on a line with the upper edge of the partition wall 23. The forward end of the tube 63 is closed by a removable cap or disc, 65, having a flange at the periphery thereof which carries a plurality of pins, 59, co-operating with bayonet slots 61 formed in the forward portion of tube 63. Said disc 66 carries a pilot light, B9, extending forwardly therefrom, and a lamp socket 19, the portion of the socket, to which the electrical connections are made. extending forwardly from said disc while the part that receives the lamp is within the tube 53. An electric lamp 1| is screwed into said socket 19 and disposed within the tube 9S, as shown in Fig. 2.

A thermostatic switch, 14, is also secured to the panel Si! above the heating tube 63, and includes a tube or cylindrical casing 12, housing the USllal heat-responsive elements, which is secured to the panel 60 loythe lock nuts 13 and extends rearwardly from the panel into the heating compartment above the ns 65 of the heating tube. The connection between panel 60 and the thermostatic switch is gas-tight, so that gas cannot leak from the interior of the incubator into the space in front of panel Bil or into tube 63. The thermostatie switch includes the control knob 15, projecting forwardly from panel 69, by means of which the switchV may be adjusted to change the temperature at which the circuit to lamp 1| will be opened or closed. The switch includes a limiting stop arm 16, which cci-operates with a stud 11 on the control knob 15. A casing, 18, is secured to panel S and side walls 5| thereof, and houses a pilot light 19, located near the upper part of said panel. In the lower part of the compartment formed by the panel (illL and side walls 6|, there is secured a, housing 80, in

which is mounted a plug receptacle for receiving a detachable plug connected to a suitable source of electric current. This plug receptacle is connected by suitable wiring with the electric lamp socket 19, the thermostatic switch 14, the pilot light 69 and the pilot light 19, in such a way that, when receptacle 8| is connected to a live source of current, the pilot light 19 will burn. The receptacle is connected to the thermostatic switch 14 and the lamp socket 1U, in such a way that lamp 1| will be connected automatically .to the source of current whenever the temperature within the heating compartment falls below a certain point, and disconnected from the source of current whenever it rises -above that point, as determined by the setting of the control knob 15.. The connections to the pilot light 69 are such that it will burn whenever lamp 1| is so connected. The compartment formed by panel :59 and side walls 6| is closed by a front plate 84, removably secured in position by a screw 85 screwed into the flange 62,- and having an opening surrounded by the rearwardly extending flange 86, so disposed as to receive the control knobl 15 of the thermostatic switch. Plate B4 carries a green 'ewel |3|, in line with pilot light 19, which shows green when the plug receptacle 8| is connected with a live source of current. Plate 8d also carries a red jewel |32, in line with pilot light 59, which shows red when lamp 1| is operating.

A guard grill or casing 88, formed and perforated as shown in Figs. 2 and 9, is secured in position in the rear of panel 60 and surrounds tube 12 of the thermostatic switch. The lower edge of one side of the grill 88 is secured by rivets 89 to the top of the partition wall 23. The lower edge of the other side Wall of said grill is secured to a Z-shaped member 99, having an upwardly turned flangey 9| fixed to the end wall l2 of the incubator housing, and a downwardly turned iiange 92 folded up on itself, as at 93, to form a channel which receives the lower edge of the grill, and which is secured thereto by rivets 9d It will be seen that the lower edge of this grill is in line with the top of tube 63, so that it will not interfere with the removal of panel d, and thermostatic switch 14 and heating tube 63, secured to and carried thereby.

Supporting members 95 are secured to the sides of the heating tube 53 and extend from a point slightly in the rear of the rearmost heat-radiating n 55 to the rear end of the tube. Each of these supporting members has a flange 95, curved to conform to the tube 63 and rigidly secured thereto. On the outer edges of members 95, therer are provided vertically extending flanges 91. These supporting members 95 are removably secured by the screws 98 to brackets |33, fastened to the rear wall I9 by rivets 99. Thus, the heating tube 63 and panel 69, to which it is rigidly attached, are detachably secured in position, in part, by these screws 98'which must be removed when the panel and `the heating tube are to be removed. A water rezeptacle is provided, which has a semi-cylindrical base portion IUI, fitting and straddling the heating tube 53, and, on either side thereof, the at portions 52 which rest on the members 95. There is a grill-like cover |93 for this receptacle and it is also provided with a handle |99, by which it may be removed or shifted in position. This water receptacle is slidably mounted on tube 63 and supportingineinbers 95, and may be moved conven- 7 iently toward-and' from the heat-radiating fins 65, to vary the rate at which the water contained in the receptacle will be evaporated to humidity the air admitted to the incubator.

In that portion of bottom wall which lies below the heating compartment, there are formed a plurality of slots for the admission of air. Slidably mounted beneath bottom I'I is a regulating plate or damper (It, having therein a plurality of slots |01 adapted to be brought into and out of registry with slots I 05, by shifting the plate laterally. At its rear end, the plate |06 has a bead |08 formed thereon which rests on the forwardly extending leg of an angle bracket |09, secured to the bottom by rivets H0. Beads I| I are also formed at the sides of the regulating plate I 06. A nang'e H2 lextends forwardly beneath the upper leg 0f a channel member H3, and is rigidly secured thereto. Said channel member H3 is slidably mounted against the inner 'surface of front wall I5 and rests on the inturned ange 2|!` It extends laterally, as shown in Fig. 5, with its lower leg resting on the ange H4 turned inwardly from the portion I3 of the front wall. It is held in this position by a Z- shaped bracket H5, having one horizontal leg .secured to the bottom by rivets H6, and the other horizontal leg, extending forwardly and engaging the inner surface of said channel member, thus holding the channel member H3 in position, while permitting it to slide. Channel H3 has secured thereto an operating stud or handle H8, which extends through a slot H9 formed in the front Wall I3. Pilot openings |20 are formed in said frontwall I3 and corresponding pilot openings I2| are-formed in the channel member H3, and are so located that, when the channel H3 is shifted to bring pilot openings |29 and |2| into registry, plate |0l6, rigidly attached to said channel, will have been shifted so that slots |05 and |61 are in registry to permit the full admission of air to the heating compartment of the incubator. The operating handle H8 and pilot openings |20 are located in the lower front portion of the incubator, where they are readily visible and accessible to the operator. This affords a ready means for adjusting the regulating plate, which is located beneath the bottom of the heating compartment where it cannot be seen easily. Thus, the operator can readily tell what may be the position of adjustment of plate |08, by inspection lof the pilot openings |20 and I2I.

A damper for regulating the egress of hot air from the incubator is also provided in the upper front portion thereof, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8. Referring t0 Fig. 8, the front rail I4 is curved as at |22 from the vertical to the horizontal and the rear edge thereof merges into the upper edge of the front leg of channel 3|. A correspondingly curved member |23 extends upwardly from and is formed as a part of thefront edge of flange 44, being spaced from portion |22 of the'front rail. An adjustable plate or damper |24 is provided, which slides between portion |22 of the front rail and member -|23, and the rear edge of said plate |24 is bent downwardly, as at |25, behind the rear edge of member |23. An operatingA stud or handle |26 is secured to damper |24 and extends forwardly through a slot |21, inthe portion. I 22 of the front rail I4. Slots |28 are formed in said portion |22 and correspondingly aligned slots |29 are formed in portion |23` of'member 44.-.fThe: plate 24, also, has a plurality` of .slotsl |30 .fomnedtherein, which may be F brought into registry with slots |28 and |29 by shifting plate |24 by handle |26.

The operation of my improved portable baby incubator should be very readily understood from the detailed description of the parts that has been given above. It is divided into a treating compartment and a heating compartment, by the partition 23. The treating compartment is of such size that a baby may be placed therein. The incubator is closed by the top cover having the transparent panel 34, through which the child may be observed. It may also be observed through the front panel 38. If the baby is to be subjected to oxygen therapy, the inlet tube 20 will be connected with a' source of oxygen, which enters the treating compartment through the flaring elbow 30, the flow of oxygen being directed away from the head of the child. The air admitted to the incubator through the heating compartment is heated by means of the heating tube 63 therein, having the heat-radiating ns 65 thereon and the heating lamp 'II mounted inside of the tube. The heating lamp is turned on and oi, automatically, by the thermostatic switch "I4, having the heat-responsive tube 'I2 thereof extending into the space in the heating compartment above the heating tube, the lamp and the thermostatic switch being so wired that the lamp Will be automatically turned on when the temperature in the heating compartment falls to a predetermined point, and turned off when it rises above a predetermined point. This point may be controlled by adjusting the control knob '15, which is accessible in front through the front plate 34. The incoming air is humidified by evaporation of water contained in the receptacle |00, which is mounted on the rear portion of the heating tube 63. This receptacle may be lifted oil and removed by the handle I 04, for cleaning or illing with water. It may be slid longitudinally along the heating tube, to bring it closer to or further from the heat-radiating flns Gso as to vary the rate of humidification.

It is highly important, especially when the incubator is used for oxygen therapy, thatthe heatingelement and the wiring connections be sealed off from the interior of the incubator. I haveaccornplished this by vmounting the heating tube 63, which is sealed at its rear end by cap 64, and the thermostatic switch 14, on the panel 60, which may be removably secured in place land which seals the opening in the front of the heating compartment, when secured in place. The electrical wiring connections are all in the compartment formed by panel and the side walls 6I thereof, which compartment is closed by the removable front plate 84. This plate may be taken off by removing the screw 85, so that the user then has access to the socket 10, in which lamp 1| is mounted. By grasping socket l0 and twisting it and the dise te, by which it is carried, so that pins 68 are freed fromV the bayonet slots 6l', the disc G6, socket 'I0 and lamp 'Il may be 1 removed, and a new lamp may be placed in the socket in the usualmanner. The entire heating unit, including panel B0, thermostatic switch M.'

`Of course,- the waterl receptacle, |00 is iirst taken` out` before this is4v done." If yit ls desired .to 'use the incubator in places 4where properY electric current is not available for the heating element, the panel 60 and the heating unitmay be thus removed, and bags or bottles filled with hot water placed in the heating compartment.

Admission of air to the incubator takes place through the openings 105 in the bottom wall l1 of the heating compartment and may be controlled by the regulating plate or damper |06, the positioning of which is controlled by shifting channel H3 until the pilot openings |20 and IZI, at the front of the incubator, are properly located with respect to each other. A damper regulating the egress of air from the incubator is also provided in the top front rail I4, as already described.

This incubator is of such compact design, small size and light weight that it is completely portable and can be picked up and carried anywhere at any time. It is large and sturdy enough for use, day after day, in a hospital, but small enough so that it may be placed. on the seat of an automobile, beside the driver or a nurse, and thus taken into outlying districts far removed from a hospital, orin areas where hospitalization is not available, or is impracticable.

I am aware that the particular embodiment of my invention, shown and described herein, can be Varied considerably without departing from the spirit thereof and, therefore, I claim my invention broadly as indicated by the appended claims. y v

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1.- A baby incubator comprising the combination f a housing having front and rear walls and a partition wall extending from front to rear and dividing the housing into a treating compartment and a heating compartment at one endv of the treating compartment, an imperiorate heating tube mounted in said heating compartment and extending fore and aft therein, lmeans for sealing the interior of said tube from the interor of said heating compartment, an electric lamp mounted withinthe front portion of said tube, and a water receptacle mounted on the rear portion of said tube.

2. vA baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having a partition wall dividing it into treating and heating compartments, a heating tube mounted in said heating compartment, an electric lamp mounted within the front portion of said tube, and a removable water receptacle straddling the rear portion oi said tube and slidably adjustable therealong.

3. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having a partition wall dividing it into treating and heating compartments, a heating tube mounted in said heating compartment, an electric lamp mounted within the front portion of said tube, laterally extending flanges secured to the rear portion of said tube, and a water receptacle having its bottom conformed to and removably seated upon said tube and iianges and adjustable longitudinally thereof.

4. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having a partition wall, of about half; the height of the housing, dividing it into treating and heating compartments, a heating tube mounted in said heating compartment below the upper edge of said partition wall, an electric lamp mounted within the front portion of said tube, and a. removable water receptacle straddling the rear portion of said tube and slidably adjustable therealong, said receptacle exio tending above the upper edge of said partition Wall.

5. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having a partition wall dividing it into treating and heating compartments, a heating tube mounted in said heating compartment, plurality of heat-radiating iins secured to and extending from the iront portion of said tube, an electric lamp mounted within said tube, and a water receptacle slidably and removably mounted on the rear portion of said tube.

6. A baby incubator comprising the combination or" a housing having a partition wall, of about half the height of said housing, dividing it into 'treating and heating compartments, a heating tube mounted in said heating compartment, a plurality oftheat-radiating ns secured to and extending from the front portion of said tube, the upper edges of said iins lying substantially in the horizontal plane including the upper edge or" said partition wall, an electric lamp mounted within said tube, and a water receptacle slidably and removably mounted on the rear portion of said tube and projecting above said partition wall.

7. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having iront and rear Walls and a partition wall extending from front torear and dividing the housing into a treating compartment and a heating compartment at one end of the treating compartment, said iront wall having an opening therein communicating with said heating compartment, a panel mounted in and closing said opening, an imperforate heating tube mounted on said panel and projecting rearwardly therefrom into said heating compartment, means closing the rear end of said tube whereby the interior thereof is completely sealed from the interior of the heating compartment, a lamp socket mounted in the forward end of said tube and extending forwardly of said panel, and an electric lamp mounted in said socket within said tube.

8. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having front and rear walls and a partition wall extending from' front to rear and dividing the housing into a treating. compartment and a heating compartment at one end of the treating compartment, said front wall having an opening therein communicating with said heating compartment, a panely mounted in and closing said opening, an imperforate heating tube mounted on said panel and projecting rearwardly therefrom into said heating compartment, meansclosing the rear end of said tube whereby the interior thereof is completely sealed from the interior of the heating compartment, a disc removably mounted in the Jforward end of said tube, a lamp socket carried by said disc and extending forwardly of said panel, and an electric lampy mounted in said socket within said tube.

9. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having front and rear walls and a partition wall extending from front to rear and dividing the housing into a. treating compartment and a heating compartment at one end of the ltreating compartment, said front wall having an opening therein communicating with the heating compartment, a panel mounted in and closing said opening,.an imperiorate heating tube mounted on said panel and projecting rearwardly therefrom into said heating compartment, the rear end of said tube being closed whereby the interior of said tubeA is completely sealed from the interior of said heating compartment, a lamp socket mounted on the forward end of said tube and extending forwardly of said panel, an electric lamp mounted in said socket within said tube, a thermostatic switch mounted on said panel and including a tube projecting readwardly from said panel, outside of said heating tube, and enclosing heat-responsive elements, and operating mechanism mounted wholly in front of said panel. f

10. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having a front wall with an opening therein, a frame for said opening secured to said front wall, extending inwardly of the housing and having laterally extending iianges at the rear thereof, a panel closing said opening and removably seated on said flanges, side walls integral with said panel, extending forwardly therefrom and forming therewith a compartment, a heating tube having a closed rear end mounted on and having a sealed connection with said panel and extending rearwardly therefrom', the interior of said tube being completely sealed from the interior of said housing, a lamp socket mounted in the forward end of said tube, and an electric lamp mounted in said socket within said tube, the wiring connectionsfor -said socket being entirely within said compartment. f 1l. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having a front wall with an opening therein, a frame for said opening secured to said front wall, extending inwardly of the housing and having laterally extending flanges at the rear thereof, a panel closing said opening and removably seated on said flanges, sidewalls integral with said panel, extending forwardly therefrom and forming therewith a compartment, a heating tube having a closed rear end mounted on and having a sealed connection with said panel and extending rearwardly therefrom, the interior of said tube being completely sealed from the interior of said housing, a disc removably mounted in the front end of said tube, a lamp socket carried by said disc, and an electric lamp mounted in said socket within said tube, the wiring connections for said lamp socket being entirely within said compartment.

12. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having a front wall with an' opening therein, a frame for said opening secured to said front wall, extending inwardly of the housing and having laterally extending flanges at the rear thereof, a panel closing said opening and removably seated on said flanges, side walls integral with said panel, extending forwardly therefrom and forming therewith a compartment, a heating tube having a closed rear end mounted on and having a sealed connection with said panel and extending rearwardly therefrom, the interior of said tube being completely sealed from the interior of said housing, a lamp socket mounted in the forward end of said tube, an electric lamp mounted in said socket within said tube, the wiring connections for said socket being en'- tirely within said compartment, and a front plate removably secured to said panel and closing the front of said compartment. l

13. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having a front wall with an opening therein, a frame for said opening secured to said front wall, extending inwardly of the housing and .having laterally extending anges at the rear thereof, a panel closing said opening and removably seated on said flanges, side walls integral with said panel, extending forwardly therefrom and forming therewith a' compartment, aheating tube having a vclosed-,rear end mounted on and-having a sealed connection with saidpanel and extending rearwardly therefrom, a lamp socket mountedin-the forward end ofA said tube, an electric lamp mounted in said socket within said tube, a thermostatic switch for said lamp mounted on and having a sealed connection with said panel and including a tube projecting rearwardly therefrom and enclosing heat-responsive elements,l the electrical wiring connections between said lamp and switch being entirelywithin said compartment.

14. A baby incubator comprising the combination of ahousinghavinga front wall with an opening therein, a frame for said openingsccured to said front wall, extending inwardly of the housing and having laterally extending flanges at the rear thereof, a panel closing said opening and removably seated on said flanges, side walls integral with said panel extending forwardly therefrom and forming therewith a compartment, a heating tube having a closed rear end mounted on and having a sealed connection with said panel and extending rearwardly therefrom, a lamp socket mounted in the forward end of said tube, an electric lamp mounted in said socket within said tube, a thermostatic switch for said lamp mounted on and having a sealed connection with said panel and including a tube projecting rearwardly from the. panel and enclosing heat-responsive elements, and means for adjusting said switch including a control knob mounted on said panel within said compartment, the electrical wiring connections for said lamp and switch being entirely in said compartment.

15. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having a front Wall with an `opening therein, a frame for said opening secured to'said front wall, extending inwardly of the housing and having laterally extending fianges at 'the rear thereof, a panel closing'said opening and removably seated on said flanges, side walls integral with said panel extending forwardly therefrom and forming therewith a ccmpartment, a heating tube having a, closed rear end mounted on and having asealed connection with said panel and extending rearwardly'therefrom, a lamp socket mounted in the forward end of said tube, .an electric lamp Inountedin said socket within said tube, a thermcstatic switch for said lamp mounted on and having a sealed connection with said panel and including a tube projecting rearwardly from the panel and enclosing heat-responsive elements, means for adjusting said switch including a control knob mounted on said panel within said compartment, the electrical wiring lconnections for said lamp and switch being entirely in said compartment, and a front plate removably secured to said panel and closing the front of said-compartment, said plate having an opening therein receiving said control knob.

16. A baby incubator comprising the combination of a housing having a front wall with an opening therein, a frame for said opening -secured to said front wall, extending inwardly of the housing and having laterally extending flanges at the rear thereof, a panel closing said opening and removably seated on said flanges, side walls integral with said panel extending forwardly therefrom and forming therewith a compartment, a heating tube having a closedrear end mounted on and `having sealed connection with said panel and extendingrearwardly therefrom, a lamp socket mounted in the forward end 2,417,962 13 14 of said tube, an` electric lamp mounted in said REFERENCES CITED socket within said tube, a thermostatic switch for said lamp mounted on and having a sealed connection with said panel and including a tube The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

projecting rearwardly therefrom and enclosing 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS heat-responsive` elements, and a plug receptacle Number Name Date mounted on said panel within said compartment, 1,339,580 Myron Jan, 5, 1932 the electrical wiring connections between said re- 2,093,648 Rice Sept. 21, 1937 ceptacle, said lamp and said switch being entire- 2,219,185 Hirleman Oct, 22, 1940 1y within said compartment. 10 2,243,999 Chapple June 3, 1941 GORDON ARMSTRONG. 2,353,536 Abbott et a1 July 11, 1944 

